Making ‘indie’ video games gets trickier as industry evolves
December 7, 2022 GMTVideo game developer Ben Esposito’s first big break was a quirky game called Donut County starring a raccoon who dropped small objects and then entire neighborhoods into an ever-growing hole in the ground.
New this week: Will Smith, ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘George & Tammy’
December 5, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Will Smith’s comeback campaign is in full swing thanks to the new Antoine Fuqua movie “Emancipation,” which begins streaming on Apple TV+ on Friday.
Sheriff: Deputy fatally shot deputy in ‘avoidable’ accident
December 5, 2022 GMTPALM BAY, Fla. (AP) — A deputy mistakenly shot and killed his roommate, who was also a deputy, as the two took a break from playing an online game with friends while they were off duty, a Florida sheriff said.
Game of lies bonds England ahead of Senegal World Cup clash
December 3, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — A card game that relies on deception is strengthening the bond among England’s players ahead of their match against Senegal in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
The mind behind the Rubik’s Cube celebrates a lasting puzzle
December 1, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — If you've ever had trouble solving a Rubik’s Cube, a good piece of advice is to break it down into steps. It's worth a shot: That advice is from the man who invented it.
“Problem solving is a very basic activity of the human mind and if a problem is complex you need to divide the problem into smaller elements,” says Ernő Rubik, who invented the cube in 1974.
AP source: Rose Bowl clears way for 12-team CFP in 2024
December 1, 2022 GMTRose Bowl game organizers cleared the way for the College Football Playoff to expand to 12 teams starting in the 2024 season, informing CFP officials Wednesday they are willing to alter agreements to accommodate a new format to decide the national champion.
New this week: ‘Riches,’ Robert Downey Sr. and BTS’ RM
November 28, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
New this week: Lizzo, ‘Criminal Minds’ and ‘The Woman King’
November 25, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
MOVIES
— When the Mars Rover Opportunity, nicknamed Oppy, launched in 2003, it was only supposed to last 90 sols (or Mars days).
Happy hygge! Scrabble dictionary adds hundreds of words
November 16, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Here's the sitch, Scrabble stans. Your convos around the board are about to get more interesting with about 500 new words and variations added to the game's official dictionary: stan, sitch, convo, zedonk, dox and fauxhawk among them.
From Wordle to sweets, holiday gift ideas for the grown-ups
November 15, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Adults. They, too, need fun stuff for the holidays.
From sweet treats to things with wheels, some ideas for pleasing a child at heart this holiday season:
Battle over the iPhone app store spills into appeals court
November 15, 2022 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple and the company behind the popular video game Fortnite squared off Monday before three federal appellate judges who will render the next decision in a high-stakes battle over whether Apple created an illegal monopoly via its exclusive control of its iPhone app store.
New this week: ‘Spirited,’ Pokémon, ‘Nope’ and ‘Slumberland’
November 14, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
MOVIES
— In “Nope,” Jordan Peele has once again made a rarity in Hollywood: a wholly original film that was also a box-office hit.
Kevin Conroy, a defining voice of Batman, dies at 66
November 11, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Conroy, the prolific voice actor whose gravely delivery on “Batman: The Animated Series" was for many Batman fans the definitive sound of the Caped Crusader, has died at 66.
49ers look to show off new offense vs. Chargers
November 11, 2022 GMTSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan has been known as one of the NFL's most creative play-callers.
The midseason addition of Christian McCaffrey has only expanded the possibilities for the 49ers, who now feature two of the game's most versatile players in McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.
Nintendo counting on forays beyond video games to boost fans
November 9, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Nintendo hopes to leverage a new Super Mario movie, various merchandising and theme parks to draw more people into playing its video games, President Shuntaro Furukawa said Wednesday.
Nintendo content, including Donkey Kong and Pokemon, has drawn fans over more than four decades, with parents and grandparents now playing games with children.
EU’s Call of Duty: Probe Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal
November 8, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has launched an investigation into Microsoft’s planned takeover of video game giant Activision Blizzard, fearing the $69 billion deal would distort fair competition to popular titles like Call of Duty.
New this week: Bruce Springsteen, ‘The Big Brunch’ and Sonic
November 7, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Did you follow all the “Don’t Worry Darling” fuss and forget to watch the film behind it all?
Wall-hugging Chastain, red-hot Bell eye 1st NASCAR title
November 4, 2022 GMTAVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Ross Chastain skyrocketed to motorsports infamy for wall-riding his way into NASCAR's championship race with a video-game style move that has overshadowed the finale and his fellow title contenders.
New this week: Radcliffe gets weird, ‘Causeway’ and Phoenix
November 4, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Elvis, Elton John and Freddie Mercury have all gotten the biopic treatment.
Chastain’s video game-inspired ride puts more eyes on NASCAR
November 3, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Ross Chastain's video game-inspired ride along the wall at Martinsville carried him across the finish line, into the NASCAR championship finale and around the world.
Japan entertainment maker Sony ups forecasts as profits grow
November 1, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Sony said Tuesday its quarterly profit through September rose 24% on healthy demand for its music and movies, prompting the Japanese entertainment and electronics giant to raise its annual sales and profit forecasts.
Column: Chastain rides the wall into NASCAR’s title race
October 31, 2022 GMTThere's been an internal battle raging inside Ross Chastain as he's clawed his way into NASCAR's championship finale.
He's an eighth-generation watermelon farmer from Florida who was never supposed to make it to the top level of stock car racing.
Bell wins, Chastain rides the wall to earn title race spots
October 30, 2022 GMTRoss Chastain's aggressive style hasn’t made a lot of friends in NASCAR’s top series. Now, he'll be contending for a championship because of that approach.
Incarnate Word ground game chews up Texas A&M Commerce
October 30, 2022 GMTCOMMERCE, Texas (AP) — Marcus Cooper ran for 183 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns and Incarnate Word beat Texas A&M Commerce 35-7 on Saturday.
Cooper's 5-yard scoring run with 1:10 before halftime gave the Cardinals (8-1, 3-1 Southland Conference) a 14-7 lead and they proceeded to pull away after the break.
Call of Duty’s latest battle is between Microsoft and Sony
October 27, 2022 GMTHunting down your enemies on the bustling streets of Amsterdam, along the U.S.-Mexico border or in a Middle Eastern fishing village is just part of the intense action in the latest Call of Duty video game.
New this week: Scary movies, Lainey Wilson, ‘Call of Duty’
October 24, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
Dynamic Daniels, LSU, roar back on No. 7 Ole Miss, 45-20
October 23, 2022 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels' dynamism has bamboozled defenses in back-to-back games.
Daniels ran for three touchdowns and passed for two scores, and LSU roared back from an early two-touchdown deficit to hand No.
Kiffin: No. 7 Ole Miss faces toughest road test yet at LSU
October 20, 2022 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin offered a blunt assessment of the challenge facing the unbeaten and seventh-ranked Rebels when they visit LSU on Saturday.
“This is the most talented opponent by far,” Kiffin said.
Esports video games hold vast betting potential, experts say
October 18, 2022 GMTATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Competitive video games hold vast economic potential in the U.S. and worldwide, particularly once gambling companies figure out how to interest players and spectators in betting on them, participants in an industry conference said Tuesday.
Pick your poison against Kiffin’s No. 7 Ole Miss offense
October 18, 2022 GMTOne week, Mississippi zapped Vanderbilt for 448 passing yards.
No. 9 Mississippi hosts struggling Auburn after comeback win
October 13, 2022 GMTLane Kiffin and No. 9 Mississippi are trying to keep rolling along.
Ole Miss’ Mingo has record performance a year after injury
October 11, 2022 GMTElijah Moore was rooting for Jonathan Mingo to break his record.
Nuggets’ Murray ready to rejoin forces with 2-time MVP Jokic
October 11, 2022 GMTDENVER (AP) — Here's an example of just how much Jamal Murray was missed: Introduced before a preseason home game, the Denver Nuggets all rushed over to swarm him.
That's the level of respect the team has for its point guard, who's back on the court for the first time since tearing his left ACL on April 12, 2021.
Drew Brees enjoying family time, still open to broadcasting
October 6, 2022 GMTDrew Brees put his broadcasting career on hold after one year to spend weekends with his family.
Going back to the booth or studio is always a possibility for the 13-time Pro Bowl quarterback who worked in a variety of roles for NBC last season.
Rays clinch AL wild-card spot; Astros get AL home-field edge
October 1, 2022 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros both had reasons to like how things turned out Friday night.
Drew Rasmussen and the Rays were the only ones celebrating, however.
Rasmussen pitched seven effective innings and the Rays clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season, posing on the field for a team picture after beating Houston 7-3.
AP source: NFL, NFLPA reviewing Tagovailoa’s quick return
September 26, 2022 GMTMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa hit his head. Turns out, his back was the bigger issue.
Either way, he was cleared to return and played through it all.
Tagovailoa briefly left Sunday's 21-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills, returning despite appearing to be disoriented by what the team originally said was a head injury.
Execs: US internet casino gambling is poised for expansion
September 23, 2022 GMTATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — As sports betting has swept across the country with states, casinos and consumers eagerly embracing a new gambling market, internet casino games have grown much more slowly.
Microsoft’s $69B Activision deal faces in-depth UK inquiry
September 15, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard faces an in-depth antitrust investigation in Britain after the tech company refused to offer proposals to ease competition concerns.
China grants gaming license to NetEase, 1st since crackdown
September 14, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — China’s second largest gaming firm NetEase has received its first online game license in over a year in a possible sign Beijing is gradually easing a crackdown on the industry.
The National Press and Publication Administration, which issues licenses for video games, on Tuesday published a list of approvals for 73 games, including a mobile game by NetEase called “All-Star Street Ball Party.”
Kiffin expects Ole Miss QB Luke Altmyer to be able to play
September 12, 2022 GMTOXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin said quarterback Luke Altmyer should be able to play against Georgia Tech, but he isn't saying who will start for the 20th-ranked Rebels.
Altmyer sustained an upper-body injury in the second quarter of the game against Central Arkansas and didn't play in the second half of the Rebels' 59-3 win.
No. 22 Mississippi to start Altmyer vs Central Arkansas,
September 8, 2022 GMTCentral Arkansas (0-1) at No. 22 Mississippi (1-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (SEC Network+)
Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
USC transfer Dart helps No. 21 Mississippi beat Troy 28-10
September 4, 2022 GMTOXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Jaxson Dart thought about it. But the Mississippi quarterback did not want to get greedy in his debut performance.
“I wanted to throw deep. I wanted to. It just wasn’t there,” said Dart after evaluating his performance as No.
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal gets global scrutiny
September 1, 2022 GMTMicrosoft’s plan to buy video game giant Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion could have major effects on the gaming industry, transforming the Xbox maker into something like a Netflix for video games by giving it control of many more popular titles.
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal faces more UK scrutiny
September 1, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Microsoft’s plan to buy video game company Activision Blizzard faced a potential setback Thursday after British antitrust regulators demanded concessions from both companies to ease competition concerns about the blockbuster deal.
Boredom, loneliness plague Ukrainian youth near front line
August 15, 2022 GMTSLOVIANSK, Ukraine (AP) — Anastasiia Aleksandrova doesn’t even look up from her phone when the thunder of nearby artillery booms through the modest home the 12-year-old shares with her grandparents on the outskirts of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine.
AP source: Watson willing to accept 8-game suspension, fine
August 11, 2022 GMTCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson would accept an eight-game suspension and $5 million fine to avoid missing the entire season, a person familiar with his defense told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Nintendo’s profit rises despite shortages of computer chips
August 3, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Nintendo’s profit in the April-June quarter rose 28% from a year earlier on healthy demand for its games, although its console sales were dented by a shortage of semiconductors.
The Japanese video game maker behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises said Wednesday its profit in the last quarter totaled 118.9 billion yen ($895 million), up from 92.7 billion yen in the same period in 2021.
Sony sees profit rise despite waning interest in video games
July 29, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Sony’s profit edged up 3% in the last quarter, weathering production setbacks from COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai and a trend away from video gaming as pandemic restrictions eased elsewhere.
Cardinals say QB Kyler Murray focused on football
July 26, 2022 GMTLITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Kyler Murray has made it no secret he enjoys video games, including the popular “Call of Duty” franchise.
Tight end Zach Ertz said the franchise quarterback also knows he has a duty to study his playbook.
5-letter word for fun? Hasbro, NYT create Wordle board game
July 15, 2022 GMTThe company that makes some of the world's most iconic board games including Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue is developing a new one based on Wordle, the obsessively popular digital word-guessing game.
Abe impersonated ‘Super Mario’ to promote Tokyo Olympics
July 9, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Despite his prominence as Japan’s longest serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe may have enjoyed his biggest moment at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics before 70,000 at the city’s renown Maracana stadium.
‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ manga creator Kazuki Takahashi found dead at sea
July 8, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” manga comic and trading card game, has died, apparently while snorkeling in southwestern Japan, the coast guard said Friday.
The body of Takahashi, 60, was found Wednesday floating about 300 meters (330 yards) off the coast of Okinawa, by a person running a marine leisure business, according to an official at the Naha Coast Guard Nago station.
Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi on cover of NBA 2K23 WNBA edition
July 6, 2022 GMTSue Bird and Diana Taurasi have been linked for more than two decades, playing together at UConn and then helping the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team win five gold medals.
Now the basketball greats will appear on the cover of the NBA 2K23 WNBA edition video game that will be released on Sept.
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard bid faces UK antitrust probe
July 6, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Microsoft's acquisition of game publisher Activision Blizzard faces antitrust scrutiny in the U.K., where competition regulators said Wednesday they've opened an initial inquiry into the $69 billion deal.
Mother charged after Florida toddler fatally shoots father
June 6, 2022 GMTORLANDO, Fla. (AP) —
A 2-year old boy fatally shot his father in an accident after finding a gun, and the boy's mother is now facing criminal charges, authorities in Florida said Monday.
Reggie Mabry, 26, was fatally shot late last month while he was playing a video game.
NFL partners with Mythical Games for blockchain-enabled game
May 25, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The NFL and NFL Players Association are partnering with Mythical Games for the first blockchain-enabled NFL video game.
The game — which will be called NFL Rivals — is slated to launch early next year.
Video game workers create first union at big U.S. game maker
May 23, 2022 GMTMILWAUKEE (AP) — Video game workers at a division of game publisher Activision Blizzard have voted to unionize, creating the first labor union at a large U.S. video game company.
A count of ballots on Monday revealed the results of the election affecting a small group of Wisconsin-based quality assurance testers at Activision Blizzard’s Raven Software, which develops the popular Call of Duty game franchise.
Shootout at park bustling with children leaves 1 dead
May 19, 2022 GMTEAST PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) — One person was killed and three others were wounded in a shootout among multiple gunmen at an East Palo Alto park where dozens of children were playing, police said.
More than 30 shots were fired during the shootout Tuesday at Jack Farrell Park where children ran for their lives screaming for help, East Palo Alto Interim Police Chief Jeff Liu said Wednesday.
Livestreamed carnage: Tech’s hard lessons from mass killings
May 17, 2022 GMTThese days, mass shooters like the one now held in the Buffalo, New York, supermarket attack don’t stop with planning out their brutal attacks. They also create marketing plans while arranging to livestream their massacres on social platforms in hopes of fomenting more violence.